Breaking Down Biggest Transfer Needs and Potential Targets of Manchester City

Manchester City does not let a transfer window go by without making a splash, and this January will be no different.

After signingJavi Garcia, MatijaNastasic, Maicon, Scott Sinclair, Jack Rodwell and Richard Wright during the previous transfer window, City has an incredible amount of talent, but will still look to add more players.

SheikhMansour and Roberto Mancini are likely going through a lull after getting knocked out of European competition and falling six points behind Manchester United. The two will turn to retail therapy to cure their woes.

Here are City’s greatest needs, and the players that may cause the club to dig into its deep pockets.

Need: Winger

Manchester City does not need another striker, but it would benefit from signing another player with pace that can feature out wide and force opposing defenses to spread out.

Scott Sinclair is currently the only player who fits this description, and the defending champions would be wise to add a player who can have a greater impact than the former Swansea City winger.

With a creative force flying up the sideline, Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez will have more space to roam and will be even more effective than they have been this season.

The Brazilian is one of the most exciting young talents in the world, and he would certainly be a player worth breaking the bank for. Given City’s seemingly unlimited buying power, it is unsurprising that the club has been a rumored destination for the 20-year-old, as noted by Sky Sports.

Bruma, Sporting Lisbon

If Neymar is unavailable, Bruma is another young talent with vast potential. He has been tapped as the next Cristiano Ronaldo while playing at the Real Madrid star’s former club, and The Sunreported that Mancini has the 18-year-old high on his wish list.

While Shakhtar Donetsk will not be keen on letting Willian leave while it is still in the Champions League, Manchester City certainly has the ability to make a bid the Ukrainian club cannot turn down. The Daily Mirror’s Alan Nixon points out that City has scouted the 24-year-old, and he would be an ideal fit in Manchester.

Need: Centre-Back

Vincent Kompany is a rock in the heart of City’s defense, and he is exactly what a team looks for in a centre-back. However, the team does not have a similarly reliable player to pair with him.

MatijaNastasic is certainly talented, but he is 19 years old. Roberto Mancini should look to have another option in addition to the young Serbian.

Joleon Lescott has fallen out of favor, and the team may need to search for another quality player to bolster the back line.

The Serbian is a bright young talent who has a significant amount of experience playing against top-level competition. He has the potential to be a star in the Premier League, and Sky Sports notes that City is one of several clubs interested.

MamadouSakho, Paris Saint-Germain

Sakho has potential, but he is in an unfavorable situation with PSG due to Thiago Silva’s arrival. He would likely see more first-team action in Manchester, and The Daily Mail’s Simon Jones reported that he is one of City’s targets.

Mats Hummels, Borussia Dortmund

While the speculation (via Sky Sports’ Thomas Zocher) surrounding Hummels has involved City’s archrival Manchester United, there is no defender who would be a better fit for the defending champions. The 24-year-old is the type of player who can be a fixture along the back line for the next decade.

What is City's greatest need this January?

WingerCentre-BackCentral MidfielderOtherSubmit Votevote to see results

What is City's greatest need this January?

Winger

36.4%

Centre-Back

30.0%

Central Midfielder

29.5%

Other

4.1%

Total votes: 516

Need: Central Midfielder

Yaya Toure will miss time in January to take part in the Africa Cup of Nations, and City does not have another reliable option in the middle of the pitch.

Gareth Barry is aging, and Mancini has yet to show much faith in Rodwell or Garcia. This may lead Mancini to add one more central midfielder in January.

The Citizens do not need an attacking player to occupy the No. 10 role, but rather a player who can sit back, tackle and distribute.

Players That Will Help

David Ramos/Getty Images

Sergio Busquets, Barcelona

City’s interest in Busquets has caused recent drama, as ESPN notes, but signing the defensive midfielder would be a major coup for the club and would have significant benefits on the pitch.

Daniele De Rossi, Roma

De Rossi is the type of gritty player who can bolster the City midfield during January and give the lineup experience and toughness during a title race. The Telegraph’s Mark Ogden took note of the club’s interest, and if Roma is willing to part ways with him for a reasonable fee, City should quickly pull the trigger on this deal.

The Real Betis midfield maestro has the ability to be a creative spark from a deep position in the City midfield. Goal.com’s Greg Stobart reported that Txiki Begiristain—City’s new director of football—is enamored with the 25-year-old Spaniard.